Exploring Neutrality in Romanian Public Libraries
Rezumat
Abstract: This exploratory study investigates the experiences of Romanian public librarians in maintaining neutrality both in their traditional library roles and as contributors to Wikipedia. Romanian librarians, shaped by a legacy of censorship and information control, are now practicing in a rapidly evolving digital landscape that challenges their commitment to neutrality. This study combines semi-structured interviews with 10 editors of Romanian language Wikipedia, including five public librarians, to explore how they interpret and apply the principle of neutrality in both physical and digital environments. Key findings reveal a persistent tension between the ideal of neutrality and the realities of personal bias, external pressures, and the lack of continual formal training. Librarians expressed frustration with balancing personal beliefs and professional responsibilities, particularly in areas like collection development and public service. Additionally, their roles as Wikipedia editors highlight the difficulty of maintaining the Neutral Point of View (NPOV) in collaborative, digital spaces. The study recommends targeted professional development programs to support librarians in navigating neutrality, verifiability, and intellectual freedom in both traditional and digital contexts. Future research should expand to include a larger sample of librarians and explore the intersection of professional librarianship and digital platforms across various national settings.
Keywords: Librarian neutrality, Wikipedia editing, Digital information ethics, Romanian librarianship, Professional development, Public libraries
Bibliografie
Acknowledgement: This research was made possible by the Wikimedia Foundation research grant, Grounding the NPOV Pillar in a Post-Censored Information Ecology, with invaluable support from Mihai Constantinescu, who served as a research assistant. ChatGPT was utilized to translate quotes, enhance readability, and ensure grammatical accuracy throughout the paper.
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